Page 122 of Falcon’s Forever

Footsteps sound down the hall. Sarah walks in, sees us, and stops. Her eyes go from Falcon to me and back.

"Morning," she says, careful.

"Morning," I answer.

Falcon lifts his coffee. "Morning."

She heads for the cupboard. "I saw nothing."

We both laugh, and Sarah makes tea while Falcon finishes his coffee, and nothing feels awkward, which might be the strangest part of the whole morning.

Eventually he pushes off the counter. "I have collections with Rook. He's making sure I don't enjoy myself."

"Go," I tell him, meaning it.

"Security update after?"

"Sounds good," I saw watching him turn to leave.

He heads for the door, and I watch him go. Sarah waits until Falcon is out of earshot before turning to me.

“You held hands,” she says.

I close my eyes. “I liked you better when you were traumatized and quiet.”

Her mouth falls open. Then she laughs so hard she has to put the kettle down before she drops it. I start laughing too because I can’t help myself.

“That’s terrible,” Sarah says when she can breathe again.

“I know.”

“You cannot say things like that.”

“I just did.”

Emily’s sleepy voice comes from the hallway. “What happened?”

“Cara held hands with Falcon,” Sarah shouts.

I stare at her in horror. “You are dead to me.”

Emily shuffles into the kitchen. “Did she kiss him?”

“No,” I answer.

Emily looks disappointed. “Why not?”

“My romantic life is not a group project.”

“It kind of is now,” Sarah says, sipping her tea as if the matter is settled.

For the next ten minutes my love life becomes breakfast entertainment. I complain. They ignore me. And somewhere between the laughter and the coffee and Falcon heading out to do somebody else's grunt work instead of heading toward danger alone, something calms in my chest. I still don't know what happens next with Merrick, with the women, or with him. For once, I can live with that.

I don't need forever today. Today I need information, and choices, and a man who asks before he kisses me. A family that annoys me before breakfast. And the knowledge that when danger comes again, none of us will have to face it alone.

Chapter 17

Falcon